Weekly updates on wildfires in the Boundary Waters: containment is climbing across the major fires as evacuation zones shrink near the areas closest to the flames. The Forest Service is reopening additional BWCAW entry points for day and overnight use.
The Forest Service says it has now opened over 73% of the one-million-acre BWCAW. Phase 10 brings the total to more than 1,600 of campsites reopened.
The Forest Service lifted closure of Trails End Campground on July 29. Recent rain has moderated fire activity, officials said, the Little Knife Fire area is reopening….
BWCAW permits are cancelled through July 24, and the closure order now formally runs through October 1, or until rescinded. The Forest Service said this week that it is assessing opportunities to reduce the closure in areas where conditions allow.
Officials representing multiple agencies, including the USFS-Superior National Forest, held a press conference Wednesday at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely. They provided updates and plans for the wildfires burning in the BWCAW and northeastern Minnesota.Â
The USDA Forest Service is closing public access to portions of the BWCAW to protect public health and safety. One order closes three wildfire areas surrounding the Bear Trap, Thumb, and Wolfpack fires in the LaCroix Ranger District, affecting 13 entry points; a second closes 15 lakes in the northwestern Gunflint Ranger District, effective July 12, due to a wildfire in Quetico Provincial Park.
A small wildfire detected in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last week is now fully contained, the Superior National Forest said in its final update on the fire July 5.
In a narrow 50-49 vote, the U.S. Senate passed H.J. Res. 140, effectively overturning a 20-year moratorium on mineral leasing in the Superior National Forest. The move clears a major federal hurdle for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine.
The fight to protect the Boundary Waters has reached a critical turning point. Following a Day of Action at the Minnesota State Capitol, all eyes are now on the U.S. Senate…
Minnesotans have become increasingly interested in winter camping, particularly in the BWCA. But, as in other seasons, it’s essential to minimize your impact and practice good etiquette. We’re sharing both written and unwritten guidelines to help everyone enjoy a positive experience while protecting the natural environment.
The Trump administration and Rep. Pete Stauber are using the Congressional Review Act in an unprecedented effort to undo a 20-year mineral leasing withdrawal in the Superior National Forest. Critics warn the move sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the Boundary Waters watershed.
The Minnesota DNR has approved a plan by Franconia Minerals, a Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary, to drill for metallic minerals near Birch Lake, about nine miles south of Ely. The approval allows 19 exploratory drill sites along the shoreline and beneath the lake, which drains into the BWCA—prompting concerns about pollution risks to the protected watershed.
If giant ridges flanked with red and white pines towering over crystal-clear, undeveloped lakes sound like your happy place, make sure to visit the Bass Lake Trail. The elevation changes and rocky footing makes this rewarding for experienced hikers, while the varying route options make it accessible for families and those with less experience. Hike, snowshoe or paddle, for a true choose-your-own-adventure.
A lightning strike sparked a wildfire near the Horse River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This comes after an active wildfire season has scorched nearly 30,000 acres in the Superior National Forest this year. The Forest Service has issued a closure order for the route along the Dog Sled Portage and has encouraged visitors to avoid the area.
Waterfalls and cascades appear throughout many parts of the BWCAW. These natural features, often found between lakes and rivers, add excitement and beauty for paddlers and anglers exploring by canoe. Many portage trails follow these dynamic stretches of moving water. In fact, these waterfalls are a big reason portages exist in the first place.
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness recently purchased 361 acres of land along the South Kawishiwi River. This scenic river borders the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and is considered one of America’s most endangered rivers.
The administration recently announced a goal to protect 30 percent of lands and waters throughout the United States by 2030. This includes protection from mining impacts near wilderness areas such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).
Its a new era at Voyageurs National Park – reaching students of all ages with mobile classroom, virtual sessions, teen ambassadors. Young people can learn about the park from near and far, and throughout their educational careers.
Boundary Waters Heritage Trails is a new non-profit with the expressed interest in promoting and preserving historic trails within the BWCAW.
No matter how well you plan your BWCA canoe trip, not everything goes as expected. This journey through the Boundary Waters was no exception. Rough water, difficult portages were just the beginning.